Poker-type multistage wagering card game method

ABSTRACT

A poker-type multistage wagering card game played between a dealer and at least one player or played amongst at least two players and providing a bonus card or other poker advantage to the dealer and/or player(s) according to a pre-determined set of rules.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to corresponding provisionalapplications U.S. Ser. No. 60/986,829, filed Nov. 9, 2007 and U.S. Ser.No. 61/123,706, filed Apr. 10, 2008 both in the name of the applicant ofthis application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to card games and methods thereforeand, more specifically, to a poker-type multistage wagering card gamewhich provides an additional benefit to hands meeting certainpredetermined requirements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is often the case that casinos are not able to provide a true pokergame to its patrons due to legal and regulatory constraints. However,sometimes the law allows poker-like house games to be played despiteforbidding the playing of traditional poker. Should casinos fail toprovide poker-like house games, such casinos may lose potential revenuefrom their patrons interested in poker but less interested in the otherforms of gaming offered by such casinos. To mitigate this potential lossin revenue, game developers have developed several different types ofpoker-like table games and video betting machines.

Unfortunately, many of the different types of poker-like table gamesfail to posses the familiarity of Texas Hold-em, which is currently oneof the most, if not the most, popular poker game being played.Additionally, the creation of these various poker-like games has causedpoker-loving casino goers to crave additional variations of pokerpresented on casino floors.

Furthermore, many parallels can be drawn between sporting games andpoker games. In both areas there can be a rapid turnaround, from a pooroutlook to a much brighter one, in a very short time span. Such rapidturnarounds often contribute to a sport or a game's popularity. In thegame of football, an intercepted pass is one such example. In the gameof poker, many of the highlighted hands from televised poker tournamentsinvolve the unlikely winner, or the underdog in the hand, attaining awinning status only following the dealer's revealing of the last card,which happens to increase the value of the underdog's hand. Accordingly,a poker-type game in which a player is given the chance to receive anadditional card, or some other desirable benefit, that would transformthe player's underdog hand into an improved hand would greatly add tothe attraction of the game.

This invention provides a new poker-type multistage wagering card gamethat provides some benefit or poker advantage to provide an opportunityto rapidly improve a given hand of a player and/or dealer if the handmeets specific pre-determined requirements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

U.S. Pat. No. 6,994,624 issued to Gold describes a game of video pokerin which the player, following a discard-and-replace cycle, has a handequal to four cards to a royal flush. In this case, the player receivesone additional card in an attempt to make a royal flush. The additionalcard in the Gold patent is awarded only if the hand in question is equalto four cards to a royal flush. There is no claim to an additional cardif the hand is different from this predetermined value. As such, thispatent is separate and distinct from this application.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,705,613; 6,113,101 and 5,845,906 issued to Wirth alldescribe games that follow the same general format. They are games ofdraw poker in which the player places a first wager; then views aninitial five-card hand; then either: a) folds or b) continues the gameby placing a second wager. Upon making the second wager, the player maydiscard one card and use a sixth card to improve his/her initial hand.The player's final hand is then compared to all or one of: a) otherplayer's hands, b) a dealer's hand, and c) a payout table to determinevarious winning hand awards.

There is no claim in the Wirth patents that places a restriction on theplayer's initial hand in order to qualify for the sixth card. As such,these patents are separate and distinct from this application.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,743,022 issued to Wood describes a game of five-carddraw poker in which a player places a first wager and receives a firsthand. Following a discard-and-replace cycle, the player possesses asecond hand. Based on this second hand, the player is given an option toplace a second wager in order to receive a sixth card. This sixth cardgenerates a third hand that potentially is higher rank than the secondhand. Awards for various winning hands are paid out from a pay table.

In the Wood patent there is a restriction on whether the option to placea second wager is offered (see Claims 1-f and 4-f). That restriction isthat there must be a possibility that the third hand will have a rank ofstraight or higher. This limits the second hand rank to one of: a) afour-card or five-card straight, b) a four-card or five-card flush, c)three of a kind, or d) two pair. Wood provides no claim to offering theoption if the second hand is different than these predetermined values.It is only offered if the second hand is exactly equal to one of thosedefined in the preceding paragraph. As such, this patent is separate anddistinct from this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a poker-type multistagewagering card game that can be played at casinos in light of laws andregulations forbidding the public hosting by casinos of classic pokerrooms.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a poker-typemultistage wagering card game that utilizes common community cards to beused by both the dealer and all players.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a poker-typemultistage wagering card game that provides a bonus card or other pokeradvantage if an initial hand is above or below preset limits to thedealer, the player, multiple players or any combination of the above toincrease the occurrence of higher ranking hands, and thereby increasethe attraction of the game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A method of playing a poker-type multistage wagering card game isdisclosed, comprising, in combination, the steps of: providing at leastone deck of playing cards, requiring at least one player to wager atleast one wager, dealing at least one card to at least one player inorder to provide the player with an initial player hand, dealing atleast one card to a dealer in order to provide the dealer with aninitial dealer hand, providing a predetermined poker advantage to one ofthe at least one player and the dealer when at least one of the initialplayer hand and the initial dealer hand being one of above and below apredetermined poker value, wherein the predetermined poker advantagebeing at least one of a greater number of cards, at least one additionalcard, and a selection choice of cards, determining a final player handfor the at least one player wherein the final player hand being one ofthe initial player hand wherein the at least one player has not receivedthe predetermined poker advantage, and a player advantaged hand whereinthe at least one player has received the predetermined poker advantage,determining a final dealer hand wherein the final dealer hand being oneof the initial dealer hand wherein the dealer has not received thepredetermined poker advantage, and a dealer advantaged hand wherein thedealer has received the predetermined poker advantage, comparing thefinal player hand for the at least one player to the final dealer hand,declaring a winning hand between the at least one final player hand andthe final dealer hand wherein the winning hand having a higher pokervalue, paying at least a portion of the at least one wager to the atleast one player when the at least one player having a winning hand,collecting at least a portion of the at least one wager from the atleast one player when the dealer having a winning hand, declaring a tiewhen the at least one final player hand and the final dealer hand beingof equal poker value, and returning at least a portion of the at leastone wager to the at least one player when the final player hand and thefinal dealer hand being of equal poker value.

A method of playing a poker-type multistage wagering card game isdisclosed comprising, in combination, the steps of, providing at leastone deck of playing cards, requiring at least one player to wager anante wager, dealing at least one bonus card face down, dealing at leasttwo community cards face up, dealing at least two cards to each the atleast one player having wagered the ante wager, wherein a combination ofthe at least two cards dealt to each the at least one player and the atleast two community cards form an initial player hand having at leastfive cards, dealing at least two cards face down to a dealer, requiringeach the at least one player having wagered the ante wager to performone of wagering a second wager, checking, and folding, collecting theante wager from each the at least one player having performed the act offolding, revealing the at least two cards dealt to the dealer, wherein acombination of the at least two cards dealt to the dealer and the atleast two community cards form an initial dealer hand having at leastfive cards, revealing the at least one bonus card when at least one ofthe initial dealer hand and the initial player hand having less than afirst predetermined poker value, assigning the at least one bonus cardto at least one of the initial dealer hand and the at initial playerhand to create at least one of an advantaged dealer hand having at leastsix cards and an advantaged player hand having at least six cards whenat least one of the initial dealer hand and the initial player handhaving less than a first predetermined poker value, paying an amountequal to the ante wager and returning the ante wager and the secondwager to each player having wagered a second wager ante wager when thefinal dealer hand having a poker value of less than a secondpredetermined value, paying an amount at least equal to the ante wagerand the second wager and returning the ante wager and the second wagerto each remaining the at least one player when the at least one playerhaving one of the initial player hand having a higher poker value thanthat of the advantaged dealer hand, the initial player hand having ahigher poker value than the initial dealer hand when the dealer has notreceived the advantaged dealer hand, the advantaged player hand having ahigher poker value than the initial dealer hand when the dealer has notreceived the advantaged dealer hand, and the advantaged player handhaving a higher poker value than the advantaged dealer hand, returningthe ante wager and the second wager to the at least one player havingone of the advantaged player hand having an identical poker value tothat of the advantaged dealer hand, the advantaged player hand having anidentical poker value to that of the initial dealer hand when the dealerhas not received the advantaged dealer hand, the initial player handhaving an identical poker value to that of the advantaged dealer handwhen the player has not received the advantaged player hand, and theinitial player hand having an identical poker value to that of theinitial dealer hand when the player has not received the advantagedplayer hand and the dealer has not received the advantaged dealer hand,and collecting the ante wager and the second wager from each remainingthe at least one player having one of the initial player hand and theadvantaged player hand with a lower poker value than one of the initialdealer hand when the dealer has not received the advantaged dealer handand the advantaged dealer hand.

A method of playing a poker-type multistage wagering card game isdisclosed comprising, in combination, the steps of providing at leastone deck of playing cards, requiring at least one player to wager anante wager, dealing a bonus card face down, dealing two community cardsface up, dealing three cards to each the at least one player havingwagered the ante wager, wherein a combination of the three cards dealtto each player and the two community cards form a five-card player hand,dealing three cards face down to a dealer, requiring each the at leastone player having wagered the ante wager to perform one of wagering asecond wager equal to the ante wager and folding, collecting the antewager from each the at least one player having performed the act offolding, revealing the three cards dealt to the dealer, wherein acombination of the three cards dealt to the dealer and the two communitycards form a five-card dealer hand, revealing the bonus card when atleast one of the five-card dealer hand and the five-card player handhaving less than a pair, assigning the bonus card to the five-carddealer hand to create a six-card dealer hand when the five-card dealerhand having less than a pair, assigning the bonus card to the five-cardplayer hand to create a six-card player hand when the five-card playerhand having less than a pair, paying an amount equal to the ante wagerand returning the ante wager and the second wager to each player havingwagered a second wager equal to the ante wager when the six-card dealerhand having a poker value of less than king-queen high, paying an amountat least equal to the ante wager and the second wager and returning theante wager and the second wager to each remaining the at least oneplayer when the at least one player having one of the five-card playerhand having a higher poker value than that of the six-card dealer hand,the five-card player hand having a higher poker value than the five-carddealer hand when the dealer has not received the bonus card, the playersix-card hand having a higher poker value than the five-card dealer handwhen the dealer has not received the bonus card, and the six-card playerhand having a higher poker value than the six-card dealer hand,returning the ante wager and the second wager to the at least one playerhaving one of the six-card player hand having an identical poker valueto that of the six-card dealer hand, the six-card player hand having anidentical poker value to that of the five-card dealer hand when thedealer has not received the bonus card, the five-card player hand havingan identical poker value to that of the six-card dealer hand when theplayer has not received the six-card player hand, and the five-cardplayer hand having an identical poker value to that of the five-carddealer hand when the player has not received the six-card player handand the dealer has not received the six-card hand, collecting the antewager and the second wager from each remaining the at least one playerhaving one of the five-card player hand and the six-card player handwith a lower poker value than one of the five-card dealer hand when thedealer has not received the bonus card and the six-card dealer hand.

A method of playing a poker-type multistage wagering card game isdisclosed comprising, in combination, the steps of providing at leastone deck of playing cards, requiring at least two players to wager anante wager into a wagering pot, dealing at least one card to each the atleast two players in order to provide each the at least two players withan initial player hand, providing a predetermined poker advantage toeach the at least two players having an initial player hand being one ofabove and below a predetermined poker value, wherein the predeterminedpoker advantage being at least one of a greater number of cards, cardshaving a higher poker value, and having a selection choice of the cards,determining a final poker hand for each of the at least two players, thefinal poker hand being one of a player's the initial player hand whereinthe player has not received the predetermined poker advantage and aplayer advantaged hand, comparing the final poker hand of each the atleast two players, declaring a winning player wherein the winning playerhaving a higher the final poker hand, paying an award from the wageringpot to the winning player, declaring a tie when the final hand of the atleast two players being equal and returning the ante wagers to each theat least two players.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following, more particulardescription of the preferred embodiments of the invention, asillustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-3 collectively form a flow diagram of the preferred embodimentof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are setforth in the appended claims. The invention will best be understood byreference to the following detailed description of illustratedembodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein like reference numerals and symbols represent like elements.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of the poker-typemultistage wagering card game of the present invention is disclosed. Thecard game is initiated by the dealer allowing at least one player toplace an ante wager (see step 102). Once the dealer accepts any antewagers placed by the players (see step 104) the dealer preferably dealsone bonus card face down (see step 106), two community cards face up(see step 108), three dealer cards face down (see step 110), and threeplayer cards to each player having placed an ante wager (see step 112).While, in this embodiment of the present invention, the dealer deals abonus card it should be clearly understood that substantial benefitcould be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present inventionin which another poker advantage, such as additional cards, a playerselection of cards, or cards having a higher poker value are provided.Also, while in the preferred embodiment, the dealer deals three cards tothe dealer and three cards to each player along with two community cardsit should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could bederived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in whichan alternate number of cards are dealt to either the player or thedealer or to the community (even no community cards) as long as theplayer and dealer receive a total of at least three and preferably fiveplaying cards.

Still referring to FIG. 1, at this point, the player preferably combineshis/her three player cards with the two community cards to form afive-card hand (see step 112) and is then required to place a secondwager or fold (see step 114). If the player places a second wager, thedealer accepts the second wager (see step 116). If the player folds, thegame is over for the player and the dealer collects the player's antewager (see FIG. 3, step 138).

Referring now to FIG. 2, once the dealer accepts the second wager, thedealer preferably reveals the three dealer cards and combines them withthe two community cards to form a five-card hand (see step 118). If thedealer's five-card hand does not have a poker value of a pair or higher,the dealer will reveal the bonus card and combine it with his five-cardhand to create a six-card hand (see steps 120 and 122). While, in thepreferred embodiment, the predetermined poker value which determineswhether the dealer (or player) receives an additional card (or otherpoker advantage) is that of a pair, it should be clearly understood thatsubstantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment ofthe present invention in which the predetermined poker value is greateror lower than the preferred value of a pair. Preferably, if the dealer'sbest five-card poker hand from his six-card hand is less than aking-queen, the dealer's hand is preferably considered non-qualifyingand the dealer pays the player's ante wager one-to-one and returns theplayer's second wager (see steps 124 and 126). While, in the preferredembodiment, the dealer hand must qualify (and that qualification is ahand value of king-queen or better), it should be clearly understoodthat substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodimentof the present invention in which the dealer hand does not need toqualify or in which the poker value for qualification deviates, evensubstantially, from king-queen.

Referring now to FIG. 3, if the dealer's initial five-card hand has apoker value of a pair or higher, or if the dealer's five-card poker handfrom his six-card hand has a poker value of a king-queen or higher, thedealer will then preferably inspect the player's hand to determine if ithas a poker value of at least a pair (see step 128). If the player'shand does not have a poker value of a pair or higher, the dealer willpreferably reveal the bonus card (if not already revealed) and combinethe bonus card with the player's five-card hand to form a six-card hand(see steps 128 and 130). The dealer then compares his best five-cardhand, whether using the bonus card or not, to the player's bestfive-card hand, whether using the bonus card or not (see step 132). Ifthe player's hand has a higher poker value than the dealer's poker hand,the player's ante wager and second wager are paid one-to-one and thegame is over (see steps 132, 134, and 1389). If the dealer's hand has ahigher poker value than the player's poker hand, the player's ante wagerand second wager are collected and the game is over (see steps 132, 137,and 138). If the dealer's hand and the player's hand have the same pokervalue as one another, the hands tie and the player's ante wager andsecond wager are returned and the game is over (see steps 132, 136, and138).

In addition to the aforementioned method of play, each player may begiven the option of placing a bonus wager at the time of placing a firstwager and prior to dealing by the dealer. Placement of the bonus wagerprovides the player with the opportunity of receiving a bonus payoutregardless of whether the player places a second wager or folds.Similarly, even if the player folds and does not place a second wager,the player will preferably be given the chance to combine the bonus cardwith the player's five-card player hand. The bonus wager will then bepaid according to a predetermined payout structure displayed on thetable and based upon the player's final hand ranking, whether theplayer's hand is a five-card player hand or a six-card player hand.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to several embodiments thereof, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form anddetails may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention. For example while the multistage wagering card game ofthe present invention is preferably played live at a table, it should beclear that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternativeembodiment of the present invention in which the multistage wageringcard game of the present invention is played on a video gaming device,such as a video slot machine or a computer.

Statement of Operation

This new invention is a game of stud poker in which a player eventuallywins by achieving a higher poker hand than an opponent. The opponent maybe another player or a house dealer. Upon placing an ante wager, aplayer is dealt an initial hand. The opponent or dealer is also dealt aninitial hand.

The player now has a choice. In a first embodiment of the invention, theplayer may either make a second wager or fold. In a second embodiment,the player may either place a second wager or check. The central elementof this step is that the player is provided with a choice to make.

Assuming the player does not fold, then after this decision has beenmade by the player, the player is provided with the poker advantage ofan additional card if his/her initial hand is less than a predeterminedpoker value. This card is displayed openly for later verification ofplayer eligibility.

In the preferred embodiment, the player's initial hand is five cards andhe/she is granted one additional card if his/her initial hand is lessthan a pair. This additional card gives the player six cards from whichto form a best five-card final hand. Notably, hands less than a pair areconsidered relatively worthless, so a player holding such a hand faceslong odds of winning. If the player's initial hand is a pair or higher,the player must play his/her initial hand without benefit of theadditional card.

In the above first embodiment of the invention, the same poker advantageis also granted to the opponent. In the second embodiment, the opponentis granted a poker advantage different from the above advantage. Thecentral point of this step is that the player is provided with an extracard if his/her initial hand is fairly worthless, and the opponent ordealer is likewise granted a poker advantage of some kind.

After using any poker advantages that apply, the final hands of theplayer and opponent are compared and the highest poker hand wins thegame. The player with the winning hand receives a predetermined award.

1. A method of playing a poker-type multistage wagering card gamecomprising, in combination, the steps of: providing at least one deck ofplaying cards; requiring at least one player to wager at least onewager; dealing at least one card to at least one player in order toprovide said player with an initial player hand; dealing at least onecard to a dealer in order to provide said dealer with an initial dealerhand; providing a first predetermined poker advantage to said at leastone player when said initial player hand being one of above and below afirst predetermined poker value, wherein said first predetermined pokeradvantage being at least one of a greater number of cards, at least oneadditional card, and a selection choice of cards; providing a secondpredetermined poker advantage to said dealer when said initial dealerhand being one of above and below said first predetermined poker value,said second predetermined poker advantage being at least one of saidfirst predetermined poker advantage, at least one of a greater number ofcards, at least one additional card, and a selection choice of cards;determining a final player hand for said at least one player whereinsaid final player hand being one of said initial player hand whereinsaid at least one player has not received said predetermined pokeradvantage, and a player advantaged hand wherein said at least one playerhas received said predetermined poker advantage; determining a finaldealer hand wherein said final dealer hand being one of said initialdealer hand wherein said dealer has not received said predeterminedpoker advantage, and a dealer advantaged hand wherein said dealer hasreceived said predetermined poker advantage; comparing said final playerhand for said at least one player to said final dealer hand; declaring awinning hand between said at least one final player hand and said finaldealer hand wherein said winning hand having a higher poker value;paying at least a portion of said at least one wager to said at leastone player when said at least one player having a winning hand;collecting at least a portion of said at least one wager from said atleast one player when said dealer having a winning hand; declaring a tiewhen said at least one final player hand and said final dealer handbeing of equal poker value; and returning at least a portion of said atleast one wager to said at least one player when said final player handand said final dealer hand being of equal poker value.
 2. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising the steps of: providing a video gamingmachine; and displaying said multistage wagering card game on said videogaming machine.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said predeterminedpoker value being a pair.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein said at leastone card dealt to said at least one player being five cards and whereinsaid at least one card dealt to said dealer being five cards.
 5. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: declaring anon-qualifying dealer hand wherein said final dealer hand being below asecond predetermined poker value; and paying a reduced award to said atleast one player when said final dealer hand being a non-qualifyinghand.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein said second predetermined pokervalue being king-queen high.
 7. The method of claim 5 further comprisingthe steps of: collecting a first wager from each said at least oneplayer; requiring each said at least one player having wagered saidfirst wager to perform one of wagering a second wager, checking, andfolding; collecting said first wager from each said at least one playerhaving performed said act of folding; paying to each said at least oneplayer an amount equal to said first wager and said second wager andreturning said first wager and said second wager when said final playerhand being a winning hand and said final dealer hand being a qualifyinghand, said qualifying hand being one of equal to and above said secondpredetermined poker value; paying to each said at least one player anamount equal to said first wager and returning said first wager and saidsecond wager said final dealer hand being a non-qualifying hand; andcollecting from each said at least one player said first wager and saidsecond wager when said final dealer hand both being a winning hand andbeing said qualifying hand.
 8. A method of playing a poker-typemultistage wagering card game comprising, in combination, the steps of:providing at least one deck of playing cards; requiring at least oneplayer to wager an ante wager; dealing at least one bonus card facedown; dealing at least two community cards face up; dealing at least twocards to each said at least one player having wagered said ante wager,wherein a combination of said at least two cards dealt to each said atleast one player and said at least two community cards form an initialplayer hand having at least five cards; dealing at least two cards facedown to a dealer; requiring each said at least one player having wageredsaid ante wager to perform one of wagering a second wager and folding;collecting said ante wager from each said at least one player havingperformed said act of folding; revealing said at least two cards dealtto said dealer, wherein a combination of said at least two cards dealtto said dealer and said at least two community cards form an initialdealer hand having at least five cards; revealing said at least onebonus card when at least one of said initial dealer hand and saidinitial player hand having less than a first predetermined poker value;assigning said at least one bonus card to at least one of said initialdealer hand and said at initial player hand to create at least one of anadvantaged dealer hand having at least six cards and an advantagedplayer hand having at least six cards when at least one of said initialdealer hand and said initial player hand having less than a firstpredetermined poker value; paying an amount equal to said ante wager andreturning said ante wager and said second wager to each player havingwagered a second wager ante wager when one of said initial player handand said advantaged dealer hand having a poker value of less than asecond predetermined value; paying an amount at least equal to said antewager and said second wager and returning said ante wager and saidsecond wager to each remaining said at least one player when said atleast one player having one of said initial player hand having a higherpoker value than that of said advantaged dealer hand, said initialplayer hand having a higher poker value than said initial dealer handwhen said dealer has not received said advantaged dealer hand, saidadvantaged player hand having a higher poker value than said advantageddealer hand, and said advantaged player hand having a higher poker valuethan said initial dealer hand when said dealer has not received saidadvantaged dealer hand; returning said ante wager and said second wagerto said at least one player having one of said advantaged player handhaving an identical poker value to that of said advantaged dealer hand,said advantaged player hand having an identical poker value to that ofsaid initial dealer hand when said dealer has not received saidadvantaged dealer hand, said initial player hand having an identicalpoker value to that of said advantaged dealer hand when said player hasnot received said advantaged player hand, and said initial player handhaving an identical poker value to that of said initial dealer hand whensaid player has not received said advantaged player hand and said dealerhas not received said advantaged dealer hand; and collecting said antewager and said second wager from each remaining said at least one playerhaving one of said initial player hand when said player has not receivedsaid advantaged player hand and said advantaged player hand with a lowerpoker value than one of said initial dealer hand when said dealer hasnot received said advantaged dealer hand and said advantaged dealerhand.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein said second wager being equal tosaid ante wager and said first predetermined poker value being a pair,and said second predetermined poker value being ace-high.
 10. The methodof claim 8 wherein said second wager being equal to said ante wager,said first predetermined poker value being a pair, and said secondpredetermined poker value being king-queen high.
 11. The method of claim8 further comprising the steps of: providing a video gaming machine; anddisplaying said multistage wagering card game on said video gamingmachine.
 12. The method of claim 8 wherein said at least two communitycards being two community cards and said at least two cards dealt toeach said at least one player being three cards to each said at leastone player and said at least two cards dealt face down to a dealer beingthree cards dealt face down to said dealer, and said at least one bonuscard being one bonus card.
 13. The method of claim 8 further comprising:allowing at least one player to wager a bonus wager prior to the step ofdealing; and paying said at least one player having wagered said bonuswager according to a predetermined bonus payout schedule based on apoker value of said at least one player's said initial player hand andsaid at least one bonus card.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein saidpredetermined bonus payout schedule being: paying each said at least oneplayer having wagered a bonus wager even money on any placed bonus wagerwhen said at least one player having an at least five card player handand said at least one bonus card having a poker value of one of a pairconsisting of Jacks or better and a two pair; paying each said at leastone player having wagered a bonus wager 3 times any placed bonus wagerwhen said at least one player having an at least five card player handand said at least one bonus card having a poker value of a three of akind; paying each said at least one player having wagered a bonus wager4 times any placed bonus wager when said at least one player having anat least five card player hand and said at least one bonus card having apoker value of a straight; paying each said at least one player havingwagered a bonus wager 7 times any placed bonus wager when said at leastone player having an at least five card player hand and said at leastone bonus card having a poker value of a flush; paying each said atleast one player having wagered a bonus wager 10 times any placed bonuswager when said at least one player having an at least five card playerhand and said at least one bonus card having a poker value of a fullhouse; paying each said at least one player having wagered a bonus wager25 times any placed bonus wager when said at least one player having anat least five card player hand and said at least one bonus card having apoker value of a four of a kind; paying each said at least one playerhaving wagered a bonus wager 75 times any placed bonus wager when saidat least one player having an at least five card player hand and said atleast one bonus card having a poker value of a straight flush; andpaying each said at least one player having wagered a bonus wager 250times any placed bonus wager when said at least one player having an atleast five card player hand and said at least one bonus card having apoker value of a royal flush.
 15. The method of claim 14 furthercomprising the steps of: providing a video gaming machine; anddisplaying said multistage wagering card game on said video gamingmachine.
 16. The method of claim 13 wherein said predetermined bonuspayout schedule being: paying each said at least one player havingwagered a bonus wager even money on any placed bonus wager when said atleast one player having an at least five card player hand and said atleast one bonus card having a poker value of one of a pair consisting ofJacks or better and a two pair; paying each said at least one playerhaving wagered a bonus wager 3 times any placed bonus wager when said atleast one player having an at least five card player hand and said atleast one bonus card having a poker value of a three of a kind; payingeach said at least one player having wagered a bonus wager 4 times anyplaced bonus wager when said at least one player having an at least fivecard player hand and said at least one bonus card having a poker valueof a straight; paying each said at least one player having wagered abonus wager 7 times any placed bonus wager when said at least one playerhaving an at least five card player hand and said at least one bonuscard having a poker value of a flush; paying each said at least oneplayer having wagered a bonus wager 9 times any placed bonus wager whensaid at least one player having an at least five card player hand andsaid at least one bonus card having a poker value of a full house;paying each said at least one player having wagered a bonus wager 20times any placed bonus wager when said at least one player having an atleast five card player hand value of a four of a kind; paying each saidat least one player having wagered a bonus wager 75 times any placedbonus wager when said at least one player having an at least five cardplayer hand and said at least one bonus card having a poker value of astraight flush; and paying each said at least one player having wagereda bonus wager 250 times any placed bonus wager when said at least oneplayer having an at least five card player hand and said at least onebonus card having a poker value of a royal flush.
 17. The method ofclaim 8 wherein said predetermined bonus payout schedule being: payingeach said at least one player having wagered a bonus wager even money onany placed bonus wager when said at least one player having an at leastfive card player hand and said at least one bonus card having a pokervalue of one of a pair consisting of Jacks or better and a two pair;paying each said at least one player having wagered a bonus wager 3times any placed bonus wager when said at least one player having an atleast five card player hand and said at least one bonus card having apoker value of a three of a kind; paying each said at least one playerhaving wagered a bonus wager 4 times any placed bonus wager when said atleast one player having an at least five card player hand and said atleast one bonus card having a poker value of a straight; paying eachsaid at least one player having wagered a bonus wager 6 times any placedbonus wager when said at least one player having an at least five cardplayer hand and said at least one bonus card having a poker value of aflush; paying each said at least one player having wagered a bonus wager8 times any placed bonus wager when said at least one player having anat least five card player hand and said at least one bonus card having apoker value of a full house; paying each said at least one player havingwagered a bonus wager 30 times any placed bonus wager when said at leastone player having an at least five card player hand and said at leastone bonus card having a poker value of a four of a kind; paying eachsaid at least one player having wagered a bonus wager 75 times anyplaced bonus wager when said at least one player having an at least fivecard player hand and said at least one bonus card having a poker valueof a straight flush; and paying each said at least one player havingwagered a bonus wager 250 times any placed bonus wager when said atleast one player having an at least five card player hand and said atleast one bonus card having a poker value of a royal flush.
 18. A methodof playing a poker-type multistage wagering card game comprising, incombination, the steps of: providing at least one deck of playing cards;requiring at least one player to wager an ante wager; dealing a bonuscard face down; dealing two community cards face up; dealing three cardsto each said at least one player having wagered said ante wager, whereina combination of said three cards dealt to each player and said twocommunity cards form a five-card player hand; dealing three cards facedown to a dealer; requiring each said at least one player having wageredsaid ante wager to perform one of wagering a second wager equal to saidante wager and folding; collecting said ante wager from each said atleast one player having performed said act of folding; revealing saidthree cards dealt to said dealer, wherein a combination of said threecards dealt to said dealer and said two community cards form a five-carddealer hand; revealing said bonus card when at least one of saidfive-card dealer hand and said five-card player hand having less than apair; assigning said bonus card to said five-card dealer hand to createa six-card dealer hand when said five-card dealer hand having less thana pair; assigning said bonus card to said five-card player hand tocreate a six-card player hand when said five-card player hand havingless than a pair; paying an amount equal to said ante wager andreturning said ante wager and said second wager to each player havingwagered a second wager equal to said ante wager when said six-carddealer hand having a poker value of less than king-queen high; paying anamount at least equal to said ante wager and said second wager andreturning said ante wager and said second wager to each remaining saidat least one player when said at least one player having one of saidfive-card player hand having a higher poker value than that of saidsix-card dealer hand, said five-card player hand having a higher pokervalue than said five-card dealer hand when said dealer has not receivedsaid bonus card, said six-card player hand having a higher poker valuethan said six-card dealer hand, and said six-card player hand having ahigher poker value than said five-card dealer hand when said dealer hasnot received said bonus card; returning said ante wager and said secondwager to said at least one player having one of said six-card playerhand having an identical poker value to that of said six-card dealerhand, said six-card player hand having an identical poker value to thatof said five-card dealer hand when said dealer has not received saidbonus card, said five-card player hand having an identical poker valueto that of said six-card dealer hand when said player has not receivedsaid bonus card, and said five-card player hand having an identicalpoker value to that of said five-card dealer hand when said player hasnot received said bonus card and said dealer has not received said bonuscard; collecting said ante wager and said second wager from eachremaining said at least one player having one of said five-card playerhand when said at least one player has not received said bonus card andsaid six-card player hand with a lower poker value than one of saidfive-card dealer hand when said dealer has not received said bonus cardand said six-card dealer hand.
 19. The method of claim 18 furthercomprising the steps of: providing a video gaming machine; anddisplaying said multistage wagering card game on said video gamingmachine.
 20. A method of playing a poker-type multistage wagering cardgame comprising, in combination, the steps of: providing at least onedeck of playing cards; requiring at least two players to wager an antewager into a wagering pot; dealing at least one card to each said atleast two players in order to provide each said at least two playerswith an initial player hand; requiring each said at least two players toone of place a second wager into said wagering pot and fold; providing apredetermined poker advantage to each said at least two players havingan initial player hand being one of above and below a predeterminedpoker value, wherein said predetermined poker advantage being at leastone of a greater number of cards, cards having a higher poker value, andhaving a selection choice of said cards; determining a final poker handfor each of said at least two players, said final poker hand being oneof a player's said initial player hand wherein said player has notreceived said predetermined poker advantage and a player advantagedhand; comparing said final poker hand of each said at least two players;declaring a winning player wherein said winning player being at leastone of a sole remaining player and a player having a final poker hand ofa highest poker value of any remaining players; paying an award fromsaid wagering pot to said winning player; declaring a tie when saidfinal hand of said at least two players being equal and returning saidante wagers and said second wagers to each said at least two players.21. A method of playing a poker-type multistage wagering card gamecomprising, in combination, the steps of: providing at least one deck ofplaying cards; requiring at least one player to wager an ante wager;dealing three cards to each said at least one player having wagered saidante wager in order to provide said at least one player with an initialplayer hand; dealing three cards face-up to a dealer in order to providesaid dealer with an initial dealer hand; dealing a bonus card face-down;requiring each said at least one player having wagered said ante wagerto perform one of wagering a second wager and checking; dealing twoadditional cards to each said at least one player having wagered an antewager and combining said two additional cards with said three cards toeach said at least one player having wagered said ante wager in order toprovide said at least one player with an intermediate player hand;requiring each said at least one player having wagered said first wagerto perform one of wagering a third wager and folding; collecting saidfirst wager and any said second wager from each said at least one playerhaving performed said act of folding; dealing three additional cards tosaid dealer in order to provide said dealer with said dealer handwherein said at least one player having performed said act of wagering athird wager; revealing said bonus card; assigning said bonus card toeach said at least one player having wagered said third wager and havingsaid intermediate player hand having a poker value of less than a pairin order to provide a bonus player hand; comparing one of said bonusplayer hand and said intermediate player hand wherein said at least oneplayer has not been assigned said bonus card to said final dealer handfor each said at least one player having wagered said third wager;returning to each said at least one player having wagered said thirdwager said ante wager and any said second wager and said third wagerwherein one of said bonus player hand and said intermediate player handwherein said player has not been assigned said bonus card having a pokervalue equal to said final dealer hand; collecting from each said atleast one player having wagered said third wager said ante wager and anysaid second wager and said third wager wherein one of said bonus playerhand and said intermediate player hand wherein said player has not beenassigned said bonus card having a poker value less than said finaldealer hand; paying an amount equal to said ante wager and returningsaid ante wager to each said at least one player having wagered saidthird wager and having one of said bonus player hand and saidintermediate player hand wherein said player has not been assigned saidbonus card having a poker value higher than said final dealer handwherein said final dealer hand having a poker value of one of anAce-high and greater than an Ace-high; returning said ante wager to eachsaid at least one player having wagered said third wager and having oneof said bonus player hand and said intermediate player hand wherein saidplayer has not been assigned said bonus card having a poker value higherthan said final dealer hand wherein said final dealer hand having apoker value of lower than an Ace-high; paying an amount equal to saidsecond wager and returning said second wager to said at least one playerwherein said at least one player has wagered a second wager and haswagered said third wager wherein said at least one player having one ofsaid bonus player hand and said intermediate player hand wherein aplayer has not been assigned said bonus card having a poker value higherthan said final dealer hand; paying an amount equal to said third wagerand returning said third wager to each said at least one player havingwagered said third wager wherein said at least one player having one ofsaid bonus player hand and said intermediate player hand wherein saidplayer has not been assigned said bonus card having a poker value higherthan said final dealer hand.